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Explanations: No. 14614 – Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Wed, Nov 2, 2011, 23:59

A few years ago I read a fascinating book call “E=MC2: A Biography of the World’s Most Famous Equation”, by David Bodanis. This little gem explained, in layman’s terms, Albert Einstein’s 1905 equation that mathematically linked mass and energy. The equation is so famous that crossword setters frequently turn to the letters E, M and C as abbreviations for energy, mass and the speed of light. We have a somewhat whimsical example of the use of “C” in today’s puzzle:

30A: It’s not far at all if you take the M1 at the speed of light, Ron! (6)We’re told here that if we take the M1 motorway (MI) at “the speed of light” (C), with some guy called “Ron” at the wheel (RON), then we have constructed the word MICRON (MI-C-RON). And a micron is such a small unit of length, “it’s not far at all!”

Please feel free to leave a comment below, and tell us how you fared with today’s crossword. If you have a question about today’s puzzle I am sure that I, or a fellow solver, can answer it for you.

Across
8 To cause damage, I go 50-500F lower (8)
MAR-I-GO-L-D
To cause damage (MAR) I go (I GO) 50-500 (L-D) = MARIGOLD: f-lower.9 Number of countries perhaps involved then, in the morning (6)A(NTHE)M
In “the morning” (A-M) involved “then” (NTHE) = ANTHEM: number (song) of country, perhaps.10 It’s about a DM to get out of hock (6)RE-DEE-M
It’s “about” (RE) a “DM” (DEE-M) = REDEEM: to get out of hock.11 The guts to show an awful serial about the New Testament (8)E(NT)RAILS
An awful “serial” (E-RAILS) about “the New Testament” (NT) to show = ENTRAILS: the guts.12 Work loosely into the alternative (6)OP-TION
Work (OP) loosely “into” (TION) = OPTION: the alternative.13 A minor attraction for the teams! How? (8)SIDES-HOW
The teams (SIDES) how (HOW) for = SIDESHOW: a minor attraction.15 Dr. does, perhaps (4)DEE-R
Dr (DEE-R) = DEER: does, perhaps.17 Why a candle won’t burn long around Hollywood? (7)WICK-LOW
Why a candle won’t burn long (WICK LOW) = WICKLOW: around Hollywood?19 Forced to blink seeing this on the page, for a test (7)INKBLOT
Forced “to blink”, seeing = INKBLOT: this on a page, for a test.22 Start off a lease, free from anxiety (4)EASE
A lease (L-EASE) start off (L off) = EASE: free from anxiety.24 Never giving up Bob’s turn at sea (8)STUBBORN
“Bob’s turn” at sea = STUBBORN: never giving up.27 An A-Z, with minerals found in the North Atlantic? (6)A-Z-ORES
An “A-Z” (A-Z) with “minerals” (ORES) = AZORES: found in the North Atlantic.29 Manufacturer in favour of the use of crude (8)PRO-DUCER
In favour of (PRO) the use of “crude” (DUCER) = PRODUCER: manufacturer.30 It’s not far at all if you take the M1 at the speed of light, Ron! (6)MI-C-RON
If you take “the M1” (MI) at “the speed of light” (C) Ron (RON) = MICRON: it’s not far at all!31 Don’t lose the latter half of the season (6)WIN-TER
Don’t lose (WIN) the “lat-TER” half of (TER) = WINTER: the season.32 Why you can’t drop off one at the rebuilt mansion (8)I-NSOMNIA
One (I) at the rebuilt “mansion” (NSOMNIA) = INSOMNIA: why you can’t drop off.

Down
1 How her face looked resolved the quarrel (4,2)
MADE UP
How her face looked (MADE UP) resolved the quarrel (MADE UP).2 Pass the ball left, or right for a friend (8)SIDE-KICK
Pass the ball left or right (SIDE KICK) for = SIDEKICK: a friend.3 Order nothing for a soldier (8)COMMAND-O
Order (COMMAND) nothing (O) for = COMMANDO: a soldier.4 Unfavourable jingle? (7)AD-VERSE
Jingle (AD VERSE) = ADVERSE: unfavourable.5 At least assembled 500 to be preserved (6)SALTE-D
At “least” assembled (SALTE) 500 (D) to be = SALTED: preserved.6 Street songs for Eminem and bands (6)ST-RAPS
Street (ST) songs for Eminem (RAPS) and = STRAPS: bands.7 We’ll fuss for Rich (4-2-2)WE’LL-TO-DO
We’ll (WELL) fuss (TO-DO) for = WELL-TO-DO: rich.14 Mostly Irish girl (4)IRIS-H
Mostly “IRIS-h” = IRIS: girl.16 Were bananas poured out of this? (4)EWER
“Were” bananas = EWER: poured out of this.18 Get them together in term nine (8)IN-TERM-IX
In term (IN-TERM) nine (IX) = INTERMIX: get them together.20 Crack airmen with the ship make a narrow escape (4,4)NEAR MI-SS
Crack “airmen” (NEAR-MI) with “the ship” (SS) make = NEAR MISS: a narrow escape.21 To start computing, Cameron and Penny get private lessons? (4,4)BOOT CAM-P
To start computing (BOOT) Cameron (CAM) and “penny” (P) get = BOOT CAMP: private lessons (lessons for a private)?23 A mannish machine … and the king of France and Dublin! (7)AND-ROI-D
And (AND) the king of France (ROI) and “Dublin” (D) = ANDROID: a mannish machine!25 I would place wagers outside the washing facilities (6)B(I’D)ETS
Place “wagers” outside (B-ETS) I would (I’D) = BIDETS: the washing facilities.26 Happens to find a copy inside ours (6)O(CC)URS
Inside “ours” (O-URS) a copy (CC) to find = OCCURS: happens.28 Out of nothing, that jerk makes something unusual from abroad (6)EX-O-TIC
Out of (EX) nothing (O) that jerk (TIC) makes = EXOTIC: something unusual from abroad.